A question for the Long Branch experts. My 1942 Long Branch No4Kk1* which I suspect has been refurbed at some point has a simple L shaped rear sight for what I guess are 300 and 600 yards. The rifle has two serial numbers first one is in the 17L range and the second is AA25###. The sight looks like it was factory installed but should it not be range adjustable? Second question should the butt be steel or brass for this rifle? Many thanks for any help.
what rear sight should be on LB No4Mk1*
- Thread starter XRCD011
- Start date
In the MKL ....
Here's an entry that specifically shows pics of the various types of No.4 sights ..
Lee-Enfield No.4 Rifles (Rear Sight Variations)
Regards,
Doug
Here's an entry that specifically shows pics of the various types of No.4 sights ..
Lee-Enfield No.4 Rifles (Rear Sight Variations)
Regards,
Doug
Well thats great info. I clearly have a Mk2 rear sight but are any of the of the other three factory correct (keeping in mind I suspect my rifle had been refurbed) was this something swapped out at refurb or was the Mk2 rear sight good for 1942.
I would say Your MK2 sight would be correct, But a MK4 would also more then likely be correct. So, if you wanted a better shooting sight you probably could switch out your MK2 for the MK4 and still be "correct". Only one I don't think would have been on them would be the MK1, as I think the Brits were the only ones making these at the time, but I could be wrong.
Thing about these rifles is as far as I know, they often used different sights on the same year of rifles. So one batch on 1942 rifles could have had the MK2, while another had the MK4.
Thats my opinion anyways
Thing about these rifles is as far as I know, they often used different sights on the same year of rifles. So one batch on 1942 rifles could have had the MK2, while another had the MK4.
Thats my opinion anyways
Long PM sent while ago.
Internet service very spotty right now.
4-1/2 hour power outage last night, lots of things not right yet. On top of that, more damned SNOW! Seven months of it!
Where's all that Global Warming when we need it?????
Internet service very spotty right now.
4-1/2 hour power outage last night, lots of things not right yet. On top of that, more damned SNOW! Seven months of it!
Where's all that Global Warming when we need it?????
Hi Smellie I got your great in detail message and you actually pointed out things about my rifle I was wondering about like two groove barrel and the need during those dark days of 1942 that numbers produced trumping accuracy. The old case of "better" being the enemy of "good enough". I shall return the PM shortly.
My '43 LB has a Canadian stamped Mklll sight which I use for hunting as well as targets .
I'm fully confident with it.
The cream of the crop , but not exactly correct , is the 1941 Mkl Longbranch sight...big $$$ for one tho
The battle peep , when folded down is quite abit smaller than it's Brit counterpart and can be "dailed" in the same when flipped up
I'm fully confident with it.
The cream of the crop , but not exactly correct , is the 1941 Mkl Longbranch sight...big $$$ for one tho
The battle peep , when folded down is quite abit smaller than it's Brit counterpart and can be "dailed" in the same when flipped up
Last edited:
- Location
- WMU247 near Edmonton
carefull what you wish for...... there will be no 'spring' for Manatobia this year, you will suddenly find youself knee deep in summer.... and water.
as for the proper rear sight I would go with the Mk2, unless your going to shoot it a lot, then go with a Mk4
- Location
- Beaverlodge, Alberta
In the same boat here in AB, still using snowmobile to go out to the shooting spots.
My as issued, refurbed at Longbranch '42 has a MKI on it but who knows where it got it. That one was a world traveler
Lee-Enfields could have picked up any back sight from any manufacturer during service. Depends what was available at the time they needed it.
My as issued, refurbed at Longbranch '42 has a MKI on it but who knows where it got it. That one was a world traveler
Lee-Enfields could have picked up any back sight from any manufacturer during service. Depends what was available at the time they needed it.
Looks like my No4Mk1* of 1942 came from the factory with the simpler Mk2 rear sight and two groove rifling so I shall leave it well enough alone. My 1949 refurbed No4Mk2 has a Mk1 rear sight. Whats a good suggestion for books regarding the LEs?
For books, you can spend a lot of money on Skennerton's volumes. They are as perfect as they can be made, although they might not be what you want straight-off, this strictly owning to the huge wealth of detail.
I would recommend three FREE books BEFORE (but not exclusive of) Skennerton's magna opi.
Zip over to milsurps dot com and take out a (free) membership. Once you have done that, you can start pillaging that wonderful Military Knowledge Library (MKL) they have set up.
FIRST book you download is your own copy of the wartime Manual: "Rifle, 1942". This is all the manual the average WW2 troopie ever would have seen.
Then you go one step up the food chain and get the Marksmanship Instructor's manual, "SHOOT TO LIVE!: THE JOHNSON METHOD OF MUSKETRY COACHING". This book is lavishly illustrated, Canadian, 1945 publication date and it is the BEST book ever written on marksmanship with iron-sighted military rifles. It was written with YOUR Number 4 as the demonstration rifle. You will NOT find a better book on shooting the LE Number 4.
Then you go for a HISTORY of the design and development of the entire LEE series of rifles, from the very first to the very last (almost), written while the last rifles were still being made and BEFORE the great majority of the original paper-work was destroyed. This is "THE LEE-ENFIELD RIFLE" by Major E.G.B. Reynolds. This is a rare book, out of print now for nearly half a century but it is still held in Copyright by the Publisher (and many of us are PRAYING that another printing might become available). By a special arrangement with the Publisher, Doug (BADGER) has received permission for Members of that Website ONLY to download reference .pdfs of the entire book, text and photos. Joining milsurps is the only way to obtain a LEGAL .pdf of the book. If you have an interest in the design, development and manufacture of these rifles, as well as in the (many) production problems, this is the ONLY book which discusses them intelligibly. I can NOT recommend this book highly enough. It ALSO has a most interesting chapter on the P-'13/P-'14 rifles designed at Enfield!
So that starts your library.
Going onward in the same place, likely you will find that the MKL is the single BEST source in the world for information on these rifles. The MKL has HUNDREDS of papers, documents, Armourer's Notes, videos, instructions....... you name it...... all on your rifle and its brothers and cousins. Th MKL is necessary for almost ALL collectors of military rifles; they have manuals on just about all of them and dozens of rare books to boot. And all free.
Hope this helps.
I would recommend three FREE books BEFORE (but not exclusive of) Skennerton's magna opi.
Zip over to milsurps dot com and take out a (free) membership. Once you have done that, you can start pillaging that wonderful Military Knowledge Library (MKL) they have set up.
FIRST book you download is your own copy of the wartime Manual: "Rifle, 1942". This is all the manual the average WW2 troopie ever would have seen.
Then you go one step up the food chain and get the Marksmanship Instructor's manual, "SHOOT TO LIVE!: THE JOHNSON METHOD OF MUSKETRY COACHING". This book is lavishly illustrated, Canadian, 1945 publication date and it is the BEST book ever written on marksmanship with iron-sighted military rifles. It was written with YOUR Number 4 as the demonstration rifle. You will NOT find a better book on shooting the LE Number 4.
Then you go for a HISTORY of the design and development of the entire LEE series of rifles, from the very first to the very last (almost), written while the last rifles were still being made and BEFORE the great majority of the original paper-work was destroyed. This is "THE LEE-ENFIELD RIFLE" by Major E.G.B. Reynolds. This is a rare book, out of print now for nearly half a century but it is still held in Copyright by the Publisher (and many of us are PRAYING that another printing might become available). By a special arrangement with the Publisher, Doug (BADGER) has received permission for Members of that Website ONLY to download reference .pdfs of the entire book, text and photos. Joining milsurps is the only way to obtain a LEGAL .pdf of the book. If you have an interest in the design, development and manufacture of these rifles, as well as in the (many) production problems, this is the ONLY book which discusses them intelligibly. I can NOT recommend this book highly enough. It ALSO has a most interesting chapter on the P-'13/P-'14 rifles designed at Enfield!
So that starts your library.
Going onward in the same place, likely you will find that the MKL is the single BEST source in the world for information on these rifles. The MKL has HUNDREDS of papers, documents, Armourer's Notes, videos, instructions....... you name it...... all on your rifle and its brothers and cousins. Th MKL is necessary for almost ALL collectors of military rifles; they have manuals on just about all of them and dozens of rare books to boot. And all free.
Hope this helps.
